sels in this journey of discipleship

and renewal.

So while there has been an array of thoughts and feelings through these days, my overwhelming response is gratitude to God for the privilege and honor of having served as bish-op of the Central States Synod for twelve years. There will be rich and wonderful memories, and gratitude to God for the blessings of having lived and served with all of you as partners in Christ’s Mission in this part of the Evangelical Lutheran

Church in America.

The other response is openness to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Per-sonally I am in discernment, spend-ing time in prayer and silent reflec-tion as well as in conversation with colleagues around the Church. I am open to God’s leading and wonder-ing what surprise God might have in

mind.

In our work with missional Church we have learned the importance of pastors being spiritual leaders to their congregations. Congregations are spiritual communities and need leaders who help them discern where God is calling them in mis-sion. Pastors and congregations centered in prayer can set aside their own agendas and venture forth in trust, sometimes risking much, in order to participate in God’s mis-

sion.

So important is this work of spiritual direction and communal discern-ment, especially in these days of cultural change and uncertainty,

(Bishop continued on page 2)

Spiritual direction was not part of seminary training and pastoral formation until more recent times. I think I started hearing seminari-ans and pastors talk about spiritu-al direction and formation with some regularity only in the last 10

-15 years.

While for a number of years I had explored the possibility of finding someone to walk with me in my spiritual journey and hold me accountable, it was not until re-cently, in the past few months, that I officially engaged someone

as my spiritual director.

I had been asking questions of colleagues about spiritual leader-ship and what it meant to be led by God as a bishop and pastor in the Church. “Tell me about spir-itual leadership,” I said to one friend and colleague of many years. “Spiritual leadership,” he said, “has everything to do with one’s own spiritual life, one’s connection to God. Do you have

a spiritual director?” Then he add-ed, “By the way I am a spiritual director and would be glad to work with you.” Well, he had me

hooked.

Suddenly I found myself taking my first steps of working with a spiritu-al director. My spiritual director is someone I have known for several decades. He lives in another part of the country, so all of my spiritual direction thus far has been over the phone. I confess the first cou-ple of months were mechanical, forced, and mostly non-productive. I was even thinking it was about time to pull the plug on this experi-ment. I am also certain the first couple of months had everything to do with the old Adam within me resisting this work to deepen my

life in Christ.

But then something clicked, a question got me thinking, a num-ber of factors came together and I found myself rich in prayer in the month of May and the weeks lead-ing into the synod assembly. And the practice has continued in the weeks and days since the assem-bly as I have processed the as-sembly decisions, talked with col-leagues and friends, and taken it

all to God in prayer.

These have been roller coaster days of emotion and thought for me and my staff. But through all of this experience I am continually learning to trust in the steadfast love of God and to be open to the possibilities of the Spirit of the Risen Christ who guides and coun-

From the Bishop

CENTRAL STATES SYNOD, ELCA

21 N. 12th St., Suite 210

Kansas City, KS 66102

Voice: 913-948-9701

Toll-free: 866-915-3548

Fax: 913-948-9707

www.css-elca.org

Inside this issue:

MAKING CHRIST KNOWN

July 2013 Number 231

Rev. Dr. Gerald Mansholt

“Say Thank You!” .......... page 2 Bethany College, Fund Appeal ........................... page 3 Day of Service ............... page 4 Synod Assembly ........... page 5 Disaster relief, CWA , LSTC courses ........................ page 6 Malaria Campaign, Personal finances ....................... page 7 AOLA, Festival news ...... page 8 Women’s News, Camp ... page 9 Around the Synod ......... page 10 Parishes in Transition, Calendar, Westwood House ....... page 11 Missionary updates, Global Links ........................... page 12

Inserts/Flyers: LPG; “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday

MAKING CHRIST KNOWN — July 2013

2

In the Synod Office …

Bishop The Rev. Dr. Gerald Mansholt gmansholt@css-elca.org

Bishop’s Associates Rev. Len Dale ldale@css-elca.org

Rev. Dr. Janice Kibler jkibler@css-elca.org

Rev. John Kreidler jkreidler@css-elca.org

Assistant to the Bishop Mr. Dan Glamann dglamann@css-elca.org

Support Staff Ms. Dawne Bockelman dbockelman@css-elca.org

Ms. Sandy Van Tuyl svantuyl@css-elca.org

Deployed Staff Ms. Joyce “JP” Palmer Director Lutheran Planned Giving 816-204-5181 jcpalmer49@aol.com

Ms. Paula Kitt Mission Investment Fund, ELCA 913-486-4801 paula.kitt@elca.org

Employee Assistance Pro-gram (EAP) provided by

CIGNA. Go to www.cignabehavioral.com

for more information.

Making Christ Known A publication of the Central States

Synod

Published monthly by the Central States Synod, ELCA. Deadline for submission of materials is the 15th of the month for the subse-quent issue. News may be di-rected to Dan Glamann, Email: dglamann@css-elca.org. Permission is granted to ELCA congregations and members to reproduce any portion of this newsletter.

that the Synod Council on the recommendation of the Bishop has made monies available from the Changed by Love, Sent in Love, to Serve – Shaping the Church for God’s Mission Fund Appeal to encourage and support pastors in the work of spiritual direction.

For more information, contact the synod office.

Finally I want to recommend a book that I found exceedingly helpful in beginning my work with spiritual direction and thinking about spiritual leadership. Leading a Life with God: The Practice of Spiritual Leadership by Daniel Wolpert is a book that should be read devotionally, no more than a chapter at a time. Following each reading I personally found journaling, short paragraphs to God, a helpful way to think, pray, and reflect upon the pres-

ence of God.

I’ll have more to say in a final communication as bishop to the Central States Synod. But my hope and prayer now is for the pastors and lay leaders of the Central States Synod to continually be formed by the Spirit of God for the work of spiritual leadership. Congrega-tions are spiritual communities Changed by Love, Sent in Love, to Serve, seeking to

discern where God is leading them in mission.

(Continued from page 1)

Say thank you to Bishop and Anita Mansholt and our Synod Staff FROM MISSION AND MINISTRY CELEBRATION PLANNING TEAM

Do you have a Bishop and/or staff story that means a lot to you? We are collecting those stories and compiling a book as a thank you to the bishop for his 12 years of servant lead-ership as Bishop of the Central States Synod. Please send those stories to the CSS office, attention Sandy.

Also, in honor of the mission and ministry of Bishop Jerry, Anita, and the staff, to us and with us in the Central States Synod, you are invited to say thank you by contributing to the Changed by Love, Sent in Love, to Serve – Shaping the Church for God’s Mission Fund Appeal. For more information on the fund appeal, please visit http://css-elca.org/shaping-the-church.

Please send your notes and Fund Appeal gifts to: Central States Synod, 21 N. 12th St., Suite 210, Kansas City, KS 66102 Attn: Sandy by August 19 so that we may present them to the bishop and staff at the Staff and Synod Council celebration on August 25. If you have any questions for the planning team, please email svantuyl@css-elca.org.

You are invited to say thank you to Bishop and Anita Mansholt in person Three receptions are being held throughout the synod. Please choose any or all of the receptions and come and join us for Christian fellowship.

August 6, 2013 7:00—9:00 p.m.

Reception at Bethany Home 321 N. Chestnut St., Lindsborg, KS 67456

August 24, 2013 2:00—4:00 p.m. Reception at St. Phillip Lutheran Church

2424 Annie Malone Dr., St. Louis, MO 63113

August 24, 2013 6:15 p.m.

St. Louis Cardinals Baseball Game (More information at css-elca.org)

August 25, 2013 2:00—4:00 p.m. Reception at Hollis Center, 11414 Kansas Ave., Kansas City, KS 66111

Bishop and Anita will be at each event.

Staff will be at event depending upon availability.

3

MAKING CHRIST KNOWN — July 2013

The Board of Directors celebrates campus improve-ments, groundbreakings, and the class of 2013 LINDSBORG, KAN., June 20, 2013—The Bethany College Board of Directors con-vened for its spring meeting over com-

mencement weekend.

The board was updated on several facili-ties and technology upgrades taking place this summer, including projects in the cafe-teria and Alma Swensson Hall. The cafete-ria in Pihlblad Memorial Union will be reno-vated in a cost-sharing project between Bethany and Sodexo food services. The nearly half-million-dollar remodel will im-prove the speed and service to students by reducing bottlenecks and creating a space to purchase food after-hours. Alma Swens-

son Hall will become a living and learning community for freshmen students and will be enhanced by adding classroom and

meeting spaces.

Members also granted retired Provost and Dean of the College Eugene Bales the title of professor emeritus. Bales re-tired at the end of the 2011-12 academic

year after serving at Bethany since 1990.

The membership of the 2013-14 Board of Directors was completed by electing two new members, Randy Berry, a 1987 alumnus and career diplomat from Hillside, Colo., and Sean Patty, a 1986 alumnus and venture capitalist from Ball-win, Mo. Their three-year terms begin on

July 1.

Four members were re-elected to second terms, including Eric Doering, Frederick, Colo., 1977 alumnus and district manag-er at St. Vrain Sanitation Distribution and owner of Mediation and Conflict Consult-ants; Marie Friedemann, Denver, Colo, associate dean at the College for Profes-sional Studies at Regis University; Jason Opat, Wichita, Kan., founder and chief executive officer at Integrated Media Group; and Marlene Waltz, Kansas City, Mo., a marketing/sales executive at

Sprint.

Four members exited the board and were thanked for their services. They were

Changed by Love, Sent in Love to Serve

Shaping the Church for God’s Mission The Central States Synod Mission Fund Appeal

One Million Mark Surpassed!

The Changed by Love, Sent in Love, to Serve – Shaping the Church for God’s Mission Fund Appeal has now passed the $1,000,000 mark in pledg-es and gifts. Below are the actual figures as of 07/02/13:

Grand Total (pledges and one time gifts) $1,033,704.35

These funds are helping us to be shaped by the missional directions of the synod: Igniting spiritual renewal; Building bridges across all the differences that divide socie-ty; Raising up leaders of all ages; Inspiring and equipping people to discover what God is up to in their daily lives. Please remember that you are invited to make a special gift to the fund appeal in appreciation of the ministry of Bishop & Anita Mansholt and the synod staff. Please send your gifts to the synod office and note “Fund Appeal—Thank you!”

BY STEPHANIE MCDOWELL, DIRECTOR OF

COMMUNICATIONS

Steve Briggs, Wichita, Kan., 1981 alumnus and chief financial officer and vice president of finance for Star Lumber and Supply; Barbara Varenhorst, Portola Valley, Calif., counseling psychologist; Steve Elfman, Kansas City, Mo., president of network operations and wholesale at Sprint; and Jeremy Koehler, Wichita, Kan., Bethany’s former president of the Swede Government

Association.

The Board of Directors finished its meeting on Saturday afternoon before joining nearly 200 other guests for the groundbreaking celebration of the Bud Pearson Swedish Chapel and J. E. and L. E. Mabee Welcome Center and the Bethany Pathway education initiative. Chair of the Bethany College Board of Directors Jim Martin, 1968 alum-nus, said, “The accomplishments we cele-brate today are symbolic of Bethany’s future

and that God leads that future.”

The board then attended the baccalaureate and commencement ceremonies on May 19 that graduated 116 students. The Rev. Bri-an Maas, bishop of the Nebraska Synod of the ELCA, preached during baccalaureate service; and commencement’s special speakers included senior Olivia Fabrizius, WaKeeney, Kan., and William Gusenius, 1973 alumnus, and John Hedeen, 1966

alumnus, who received honorary degrees.

(Continued on page 4)

The Bethany College Board of Directors convened for its spring meeting over com-mencement weekend. The Board joined nearly 200 other guests for the ground-breaking celebration of the Bud Pearson Swedish Chapel and J. E. and L. E. Ma-bee Welcome Center and the Bethany Pathway education initiative. Chair of the Bethany College Board of Directors Jim Martin, 1968 alumnus, said, “The accom-plishments we celebrate today are symbol-ic of Bethany’s future and that God leads that future.”

MAKING CHRIST KNOWN — July 2013

4

Mark your calendar! “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday

September 8, 2013 God's work. Our hands." Sunday is an opportunity to celebrate our 25th anniversary as the Evangeli-cal Lutheran Church in America — one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor.

We are a church that rolls up our sleeves and gets to work. On Sept., 8, 2013, let's join to-gether as 4 million mem-bers, nearly 10,000 congre-gations, 65 synods and the churchwide expression for a dedicated day of service.

Let's clean up neighborhoods, deliver meals, col-lect supplies for refugees over-seas, visit our neighbors or help a child learn to read.

You work every day to welcome your neighbors and make your community a better place. Now let's do it together as one body, using our hands to do God's work of restoring and reconciling com-munities in Jesus Christ’s name throughout the world.

Resources are available at “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday. Bulletin inserts, flyers, t-shirts, may be or-dered and a congregational toolkit will be available mid-May. (See flyer

at the end of this newsletter.)

Bethany College bestows honorary degrees and emeritus status

In May, Bethany College awarded honorary degrees to William E. Gusenius and John E. Hedeen and the status of professor emeritus to retired Provost and Dean of the College

Eugene Bales, Ph.D.

Gusenius and Hedeen were honored during com-mencement ceremonies on May 19, where they also delivered remarks to the graduation class of 2013. Gusenius received the Honorary Doctor of Laws; Hedeen received the Honorary Doctor of

Humane Letters.

Gusenius graduated from Bethany College in 1973 summa cum laude in history/political science edu-cation and from the University of Kansas School of Law in 1976. He has been an attorney in private practice in Lindsborg since 1976 and has also been

an adjunct faculty member in business law at Bethany. Gusenius served as a member of the Bethany College Board of Directors from 1998 to 2007, including five years as chair. He was also a member of the Bethany College Endowment Trustees from 1997 to 2012 and chair of the presidential search committee in 2000 to 2001. During his undergraduate years at Bethany, Gusenius served as president of the student congress and was a varsity letter-man in basketball and tennis among many other extracurricular activities. He is currently a member on the board of directors of the Swedish Council of America and Columbia Mutual Insurance Company and is also involved in numerous civic and professional organizations. Gusenius is married to Carol Mellenbruch Gusenius, who is also a Bethany graduate of

1973. They have two adult children and one grandchild.

“It is my wish for the class to have found someone here who has inspired each of you to

keep Bethany in your thoughts,” Gusenius said.

Hedeen received a Bachelor of Arts from Bethany College in 1966. He received a commis-sion in the U.S. Navy in 1969 and served two tours of duty in Vietnam. In 1973, he earned a master’s degree in planning from Kansas State University. Hedeen’s professional career has centered on planning and real estate development. He has been instrumental in the development or renovation of more than two hundred real estate projects in twenty-three states. He served on the Bethany College Board of Directors from 1986 to 1994. In 1992, he was a founding trustee of the Bethany College Trust, serving on that body as chairman until 2013. At Kansas State University, Hedeen served on the Dean’s Advisory Committee for the College of Architecture and Design and was selected as an Alumni Fellow in 2006. He also served on the ELCA’s Central States Synod Council, the Central States Synod Endowment Committee, and the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery Board of Directors. In 1966, Hedeen married Judith Pound, also a Bethany graduate of 1966. The Hedeens have two married

daughters and five grandchildren and currently reside in Topeka, Kan.

“I challenge myself and this class to continue to serve Bethany as it has served us,” said

Hedeen.

In their spring meeting, the Bethany College Board of Directors approved granting Bales the status of professor emeritus. Bales retired at the end of the 2011-12 academic year as provost and dean of the college after serving at Bethany since 1990. He began as a professor of philosophy and religion before assuming the aca-demic vice presidency in 2003 and his current position in 2009. Bales earned his bachelor’s in philosophy at Conception Seminary College and his master’s in philosophy and doctorate in philosophy with a minor in theology from the University of Missouri-Columbia. One of Bales’ largest contributions to Betha-ny was the focus he provided to student retention. He has been recognized for exceptional scholarship and his numerous publications include essays in “Philosophy Today” and two books, “A Ready Reference to Philosophy East

and and West” and “Philosophy in the West: Men, Women, Religion, Science.”

(Continued from page 3)

William E. Gusenius and John E. Hedeen

Eugene Bales

5

MAKING CHRIST KNOWN — July 2013

Central States Synod Assembly June 6-9, 2013

Sheraton Overland Park Hotel Overland Park, Kansas

The Central States Synod Assembly was held June 6-9 at the Sheraton

Hotel in Overland Park, Kan.

In brief …

Rev. Roger R. Gustafson Elected Bishop In a very close election Pr. Roger Gustafson of Advent Lutheran Church, Olathe, Kan. was elected bishop of Cen-tral States Synod, Saturday, June 8. The fifth ballot results were: Pr. Gustafson 183; Bishop Mansholt 180. Our congratulations and prayers are with Bishop-Elect Gustafson as he enters this new phase of his ministry — our prayers and thanks also go with Bishop Mansholt following his 12 years of service as bishop. Bishop-elect Gus-tafson will assume duties on September 1. Please mark your calendar and save the date for his installation service: November 2, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. at Atonement Lutheran Church, in Overland Park, Kan.

Other elections Synod Council: Area Ministry 1—Doug Reed, Bethesda, Winona KS; Area Ministry 4—Tom Nelson, Olsburg, Olsburg KS; At Large (youth)—Jessie Reilly, First, Dorrance KS; At Large (rostered layperson)—Mindy Tillberg (AIM), Immanuel, Salina KS. Consultation Committee: Rev. Orin Cummings, Blue Ridge Trinity, Raytown MO; Rev. Sarah Erickson, Hosanna!, Liberty MO. Discipline Committee: Ms. Rachel Kibler-Melby, Holy Cross, Overland Park KS; Rev. Jennifer Kiefer, Trinity, Lawrence KS; Rev. Amy Truhe, Scherer Memorial, Chapman KS; Rev. Jonathan Wolf, Holy Cross, Overland Park KS.

Additional information Please visit the Synod Assembly webpage for more information, including acknowledgements, links to the daily newspapers, photo albums and more.

MAKING CHRIST KNOWN — July 2013

6

ELCA Churchwide Assembly 2013

The 2013 Churchwide Assembly will be held August 12-17 at the David L. Lawrence

Convention Center, Pittsburgh, Penn.

“Always being made new.” This theme for the thirteenth Churchwide As-sembly is based on the fifth chapter of Second Corinthians, in which St. Paul tells us that the death and resurrection of Christ have made us part of God’s new creation. And, as part of this new creation, we are Christ’s am-bassadors, entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation.

Together as Baptized Members For the thirteenth Churchwide Assembly, we gather as members, baptized members of Christ’s Church. We meet, however, not as a random collec-tion of individuals. For the sake of the gospel and the well-being of this church, we serve as representatives of more than 4 million members of the ELCA in more than 9,000 congregations. In our role as voting members, we have been assigned specific decision-making responsibilities.

Among those of us who assemble in Pittsburgh from August 12–17, 2013, we will find: 952 who are duly elected voting members; approximately 50 others designated as advisory members, including Church Council mem-bers, executive directors of churchwide units, chief executive officers of separately incorporated ministries, presidents of the ELCA seminaries, colleges, and universities, and faculty representatives who serve as non-voting members; about two dozen invited ecumenical observers and guests; and several hundred visitors.

Follow the Assembly Proceedings Live-streaming video will be available through the ELCA website. Go to www.elca.org and follow the instructions.

CHURCHWIDE ASSEMBLY

VOTING MEMBERS

Area Ministry 1: Mr. Doug Reed Area Ministry 2: Ms. Cassidy Ruggels Area Ministry 3: Rev. Loren Mai Area Ministry 4: Mr. Tom Nelson Area Ministry 5: Rev. David Fulton Area Ministry 6: Ms. Kristine Luber Area Ministry 7: Mr. Nam Ahrens Area Ministry 8: Mr. Lance Davis Area Ministry 9: Rev. Kim Knowle Area Ministry 10: Ms. Janis Hutchinson At Large Clergy Female: Rev. Karen Scherer At Large Lay Female Youth: Ms. Megan Mong Bishop: Rev. Gerald Mansholt Vice President: Ms. Melba Bangert

Online Classes at LSTC Have you ever puzzled over the meaning of the book of Job? Or wanted to know more about the historical background of Paul’s letters? Did you ever wonder how understanding Greek could make the Scriptures come alive for you in a new way? Or wanted to know more about Is-lam? Or the variety of religious experienc-

es in early American history?

If you answered yes to any of these ques-tions, there are online classes at the Lu-theran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC) for you. These classes can be taken as part of a degree program or as a non-degree student. Go to http://www.lstc.edu/lifelong-learners/online-learning.php for more information or con-tact Scott Chalmers, Director of Admis-sions at schalmers@lstc.edu or 773-256-

0727.

The ongoing work of disaster relief

Looking for volunteer opportunities this summer? The Metropolitan New York Synod's Disaster Relief webpage lists opportunities to help Sandy victims in Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan. In addition, Disaster Relief Coordi-nator Pr. Craig Miller has updated the blog with posts detailing a day in the life of a disaster case man-ager and how Long Term Recovery Groups address unmet needs. As recovery continues, we keep those

affected in our prayers.

7

MAKING CHRIST KNOWN — July 2013

Offer a Personal Financial Wellness Resource BY CHICK LANE, DIRECTOR OF THE STEWARDSHIP LEADERSHIP CENTER AT LUTHER

SEMINARY

Does your congregation help members make sense of their financial lives? Do you do that in a way that helps them establish a connection between faith and finances?

For an increasing number of congregations, the an-swer to the above two questions is yes. Especially since the economic madness that began in 2008, Christians are looking for such help, and many congre-gations have responded. In conversation after conver-sation, I hear people expressing appreciation for the opportunities their congregation has provided.

I want to suggest to you four resources that I have seen congregations use. I use the word suggest intentionally. These are not recommendations, because I haven’t used all of them. They are sug-gestions. If you are looking for a resource, check these out.

The four are:

“Enough” by Adam Hamilton. “Enough” is a short, very accessible book with good discussion questions at the end of each chapter. You can order it from the Luther Seminary bookstore.

Financial Peace University has probably been used in more congrega-tions than any other program.

Good Sense Movement grew out of Willow Creek Church in Illinois and now offers a full range of materials to help people “be responsible and God-honoring with their finances.”

Share Save Spend offers a variety of video and print resources to help engage people in money and values conversations.

I know of congregations who are effectively using each of the above. If you aren’t doing something like this, my hunch is that it isn’t so important which you do as it is that you do something. People are looking for help. People seem eager to think about finances in light of their faith. What is your con-gregation doing to help them?

Off to College? Hope Lutheran Church in Rolla, Mo. asks that any congregations that has students attending Missouri University of Science and Technolo-gy in Rolla to send the names and contact information to:

Hope Lutheran 612 N. State St. Rolla, MO 65401

Or send by email to Bev Strouse at strouse@fidnet.com or Tami Sawyer at sawyer@fidnet.com.

Hope is only 3 blocks south of the campus. They are planning for this coming school year for meals for the students and special worship and study times.

ELCA Malaria Campaign News World Malaria Week Success! On April 28, hundreds (perhaps thou-sands?) of ELCA congregations celebrat-ed World Malaria Day and took special offerings for the work of the ELCA Malaria Campaign. During that week, people also donated online. Our goal was to raise $250,000 to jumpstart malaria work in Uganda through the Lutheran World Fed-eration, and we had a pool of $130,000 in matching funds to inspire generosity. And it worked! Over $300,000 in donations came flooding in, and the $130,000 of matching funds comes on top of that. Goal exceeded! Praise God (and many thanks

to generous ELCA members)!

Introducing our Summer Intern Baomanjaka Clara Ranaivoson (Clara) is a senior at Augsburg College in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Clara is a “global citizen”—she is originally from Madagascar, and grew up in Papua New Guinea, England, Kenya and the United States. While she was a young child in Papua New Guinea, she contracted malaria. In addition to her firsthand experience with malaria, Clara is a biology major interested in pursuing a career in public health. Clara will be con-tributing stories to the blog this summer, so watch for her there. Synod coordinators will also be hearing from Clara—she’d like to set up a time to check in with each of them to see how the campaign is going in their synods and how we can best equip

them for their work. Welcome, Clara!

[Ed. Note: Clara is also the daughter of Rev. Mamy Ranaivoson, pastor at Trinity

Lutheran Church in Topeka, Kan.]

MAKING CHRIST KNOWN — July 2013

8

Enjoy the beauty of nature along with learning & leisure at ALOA's Colorama Lutherhostel 2 week-long programs are offer at Thrivent's Heart-wood Conference and Retreat Center in Trego, Wis-consin. Each week, enjoy inspiring speakers, worship and music, along with a canoe trip, naturalist-lead outdoor learning, ad day trip, hayride, square dance and more.

Week 1 - Sept. 29-Oct. 4, 2103 - Pastor Jack Finney presents "A Million Ways to Pray" and Dr. Jeffrey Burkart leads us in devotions and music.

Week 2 - Oct. 6-11, 2013 - Pastor Richard Osslund explores how the personalities of reformers Luther and Melanchthon shaped the church, and David Lud-wig leads our music and devotions.

All accommodations at Heartwood Retreat and Con-ference Center are in spacious and accessible two-queen-bed hotel rooms in the Eagle Lodge, with wonderful meals in the Lodge Dining Room.

Cost: just $490 per person, double occupancy, in-cluding all meals and events. A limited number of single occupancy rooms available for $690. Non-Thrivent members, please add $50.

Download a Colorama Lutherhostel Brochure and Registration form from the ALOA website.

Have questions? Call the ALOA office at 800-930-2562 or send us an email at aloa4u@gmail.com

Festival of Sharing Partners are Quilting Communities together with Education In Missouri school will be starting again in just weeks. Our schools are equipped with buildings, desks and even electron-ics to varying degrees. This is the time of year we see all the great bargains in crayons, spiral notebooks rulers and pencils and often remember others by picking up an extra box of cray-ons or notebook to put together a School Kit or Readin’ & Writin’ Pack. Education is a key betterment tool to stitch to-gether neighborhoods and communities. And improved com-

munities are a key contributor to ending hunger and poverty.

Church World Service through their Blankets+ program uses seed grants to establish Safe Schools in parts of the world where violence is a daily, sometimes constant, fear for parents and students. In Kenya 8 years ago ten pilot Schools were selected to receive grant funds. Teachers, parents and stu-dents worked together to determine the needs in each setting. One of the schools Wangu Elementary, in Nairobi, Kenya used funds to build a protective wall around the school grounds to separate it from the dump next to the playground. They also used funds to make building upgrades with restrooms and showers. These improvements were planned and implemented by the community. Teachers and parents together encouraged teenagers to stop vandalizing the school in exchange for a place to come play soccer and to shower in the evenings and weekends. Once the teens saw that the elementary school welcomed the teens in appropriate ways after school hours they too felt it was ‘theirs’ and took pride in caring for the school. The community has formed clubs for varying interests such as music and gardening. The gardening club has land-scaped, planted fruit trees and shrubs. The students too feel proud of their school and continue to show improvement in retention. The school is now recognized as one of the top schools in the city. Safe School Zones have grown from the initial 10 pilot schools to more than 70 in 2010, and continue to spread to other countries in Africa. The CWS safe School Zone program literally helped the Kenyan Government write the book

on School Safety.

Festival of Sharing participants have been major contributors over the years to development programs such as this and many others through the money raised through the Festival Quilt Auction. This year Church World Service and Festival of Sharing are challenging congregations to support a student by bidding and purchasing a quilt. Just $100 will support a student for a school year. Join the excitement on Saturday October 19th the silent auction begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends at noon. The

live auction bids start at 12:30 p.m.

For more information about the Festival of Sharing you can email Terri Williams at festival@socket.net or contact her at

Creative Ministries 573-474-3332.

See you in Sedalia October 19!

9

MAKING CHRIST KNOWN — July 2013

Please keep the participants in your prayers … and watch for convention reporting in the near future.

Central States Women’s news BY SUSIE BORGSTROM, PRESIDENT

Journey with Jesus Central States Synod Women of the ELCA

26th Annual Convention

July 26-28, 2013 Bethany College — Lindsborg, Kan.

READ MORE

Dear Friends,

The 2013 Summer Camp season is in full swing. We have already blessed hundreds of young people on your behalf and we continue to provide fantastic experiences through the end of July. We pres-ently have room for a few more campers in each of our weeks – if you know of a camper who might be interested in this experience, call us at 785.238.3654 so we can get them here.

This spring with a huge amount of volunteer help the chapel exterior has been repaired, rodent proofed, and painted. It now stands as a striking welcome to all of our guests as they enter the property.

The 2013 QUILT AUCTION was held July 13th — good crowd and great success. See images at the right or CLICK HERE for the com-plete online photo album.

Thank you for your continued pray-ers and support.

John Xavier, Camp Tomah Shinga

Camp Tomah Shinga Quilt Auction

July 13, 2013

MAKING CHRIST KNOWN — July 2013

10

Around the synod . . . AROUND THE SYNOD

ONLINE Want to know more about what’s

going on “Around the Synod?” For stories and pictures of various min-istries around Central States Syn-od, please visit http://css-elca.org/

ministries/around-the-synod/

And PLEASE feel free to share your stories too!

BETHANY HOUSE OF STUDIES

Fall Event ...

Confirmation as Youth Ministry

with Pastors Delvin Strecker and Ethan Feistner

Saturday, August 24, 2013 St John Lutheran Church

425 North Main, Russell, Kansas

Click here for more information and the registration form.

Three-Session Course ...

Ethics in a Lutheran Perspective

Bethany House of Studies is offering a three-session course entitled Ethics in a Lutheran Perspective. This course offers an introduction to the field of ethics, paying close attention to prominent Lutheran themes. Lectures, readings, and class discussions will examine how the thoughts of Martin Luther and the Lutheran theologi-cal tradition shape ethical reflection for the

church today.

The course is open to all -- either for credit or not for credit. First Class: August 17, 2013—9 a.m. in Topeka, Kansas (exact

location to be determined)

Click here for Additional Information and

Registration Form.

F.R.O.G. Ministry Fully Rely on God Members of Hope Lutheran, Rolla, Mo. are still sewing FROGs for people

with cancer and other serious ill-nesses. They have given away nearly 600 FROGs. 78 were taken on May 31 to Camp Rainbow, a camp for children with cancer in the St. Louis area; and you may have seen them at Synod Assembly — Hope’s voting members brought 21 to Overland Park, and gave them away in a flash!

If you would like a FROG or know someone with cancer or another

serious illness that may appreciate a FROG, please email wschlue-mer@socket.net or write to Hope Lutheran Church, 612 N. State St., Rolla,

Quilt Raffle Fundraiser For Intern Paul Rosin Intern Paul Rosin has been serving the congregations of Prairie Faith Shared Ministry as

an intern Pastor for the last year. He will be leav-ing us at the end of July to return to Wartburg Seminary to finish his last year of schooling. Re-cently he needed to undergo back surgery. Alt-hough he had medical insurance, it did not begin to cover his medical bills. With the generous do-nation of a handmade queen size Starburst quilt, Prairie Faith Shared Ministry would like to raffle off the quilt and all monies received will go toward Intern Paul’s medical expenses. Raffle tickets may be purchased for: 1 ticket = $10; 3 tickets =

$20; 6 tickets = $40.

The drawing for the quilt will be held August 11, 2013 at the Prairie Faith Shared Ministry 10th

Anniversary Joint worship service, at WaKeeney Swimming Pool Park at 10:30 a.m. Need

NOT to be present to win.

To purchase raffle tickets, download a flyer/order form from the Area Ministry 2 web page,

or CLICK HERE.

Congratulations to New Parish Ministry Associate!

Rita Gagelman Immanuel Lutheran Church Kansas City, Missouri Pastor Jennifer Thomas

Loving God, as you have called workers to varied tasks in the world and in your church, so you have called this servant to ministry in and through her congregation. Grant her joy and a spirit of bold trust, that her work may stir others to a life of fruitful service. Amen.

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MAKING CHRIST KNOWN — July 2013

SYNOD CALENDAR

July 13 Camp Tomah Shinga Quilt Auction 17 Interim Pastor meet — Synod Office 26-28 Central States Women of the ELCA Convention — Bethany College — Lindsborg KS

August 6 Celebration for Mission & Ministry — Bethany Home, Lindsborg KS 12-17 ELCA Churchwide Assembly — Pittsburgh 22 Synod Council Executive Committee — Synod Office 22-24 Candidacy Committee — Synod Office 24 Celebration for Mission & Ministry — St. Philip Lutheran, St. Louis and Cardinals Game 25 Celebration for Mission & Ministry — Hollis Renewal Center

Parishes in the Call Process (a) intentional interim/interim (b) developing congregational profile (c) interview phase (d) call pending

Area Ministry 2 Lucas, Gloria Dei and Wilson, Immanuel (a) Dorrance, First (a) Milberger, United Emmanuel (a)

Area Ministry 3 Peace Parish: Belleville/Courtland/ Norway/Scandia, (c) Prairie Winds Parish: Abilene, Trinity and Junction City, Faith (a)

Area Ministry 4 Axtell, Salem and Onaga, New Hope (b) Greenleaf-Waterville Parish: Greenleaf, Trinity and Waterville, St. Mark (b)

Area Ministry 5 Eureka, Christ — part-time (a) Hutchinson, Zion — part-time (a)

Area Ministry 6 Emporia, St. Mark (c)

Area Ministry 7 Belton, Lord of Love (d) Overland Park, Atonement (c)

Area Ministry 9 Russellville, Trinity (b)

Area Ministry 10 Clayton, St. Mark (a) Sullivan, Peace — part-time (a) Calls Extended: Carrie McElfresh called to Hope, St. Charles MO Stephen Zeller called to St. Paul’s, Cole Camp MO Jennifer Jackson called to First, Topeka KS

The Bridge featured on Living Lutheran today BY WENDY HEALY

As many churches and faith groups look to redefine themselves to better meet emerging community needs, an ELCA coffee shop and fair-trade store in St. Charles, Mo., is redefining “doing church.”

The Bridge, a coffee shop and new ELCA ministry supported in part by the generous offerings of ELCA members, describes itself as a 21st-century watering hole.

Elizabeth “Libbie” Reinking, a mission developer [and ordained pastor], likens the unique way The Bridge is engaging the community to John 4, where Jesus meets the Samaritan woman at the well. “(Jesus) didn’t have to go there (to Sa-maria), but he knew he would meet the people there,” Libbie says.

Meeting the people where they are is the mission of The Bridge, a 900-square-foot shop found among a gym and a dog-grooming parlor in a strip of stores in New Town, a planned, or urbanistic, community.

People stop in for coffee. Some buy fair-trade jewelry, scarves and décor items, while others talk with a barista or meet for fellowship. People also come to hear music during a jam session or to praise God during informal worship on Thursday evenings.

“The unique thing about this,” Libbie says, “is that people get what a coffee shop is and get what a church is. We’re doing ministry here, even though it doesn’t sound like a church or look like a church. What actually happens in church? We gather, we discuss, we pray. We do that here.” READ MORE

Wendy Healy is an ELCA member and owner of Griffin Communications in Danbury, Conn.

The Bridge is a coffee shop and ELCA supported ministry in St. Charles, Mo.

MAKING CHRIST KNOWN — July 2013

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July 2013

ELCA Malaria Cam-paign tops one-week goal - Thanks to gener-ous ELCA members, contributions exceeded the World Malaria Week goal of $250,000, allow-ing efforts to contain the disease to expand to the Katakwi District in Uganda. The campaign has raised over $7.5

million, putting it over halfway toward the ELCA’s goal of raising $15 million to fight malaria by 2015. See www.ELCA.org/malaria-

week.

Bishop Younan urges Christian-Muslim engagement - “We need engagement with all monotheistic faiths, especially Muslims,” Bishop Munib A. Younan, president of The Lutheran World Federa-tion and bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land said in a speech to a conference on the Christian presence in the Middle East. Speaking in Beirut, Lebanon, Younan said, “We know that extremism is not the monopoly of one religion alone and that more than just one people is capable of violence.”

See www.ELCA.org/Younan-speech.

Syria: Young people in Iowa help refugees - ELCA youth in Dec-orah, Iowa, are on a mission to raise awareness about the war in Syria. They have created a group called Global Linked, and their effort includes collecting toiletries for Syrian refugees. “This project has been a great way to serve both those in our world and those in our backyard,” says one participant. See www.LivingLutheran.com/

Syria-youth.

Mexico: Support new missionaries! - Lindsay Mack and Omar Mixco are moving to Mexico where they will coordinate the work of seven new Young Adults in Global Mission volunteers, as well as teach at the seminary and work on immigration issues. Make a gift to support all missionaries and Young Adults in Global Mission at www.ELCA.org/4missionaries or, to learn how to support those serving in Mexico, send an email to missionarysponsor-

ship@elca.org or call 800-638-3522, ext. 2657

Distribute “Go Global! Get Linked!” stickers - These stickers are perfect for a summer event or gathering of young people. They contain a QR code for a smart phone scan. See an example at www.ELCA.org/global-links. Request unlimited sheets of free stick-ers (12 stickers per sheet) at 800-638-3522 or RIS@elca.org. Free

shipping and handling.

Mexico: Immersion trip, Sept. 17-22 - Learn how to transform the conflict-filled realities in local and global communities during five days with faith leaders and Christ-centered nonprofits in Mexico City. Faith-based strategies and practical tools to transform conflict

will be emphasized. See www.ELCA.org/Mexico.

Global Links shares highlights from ELCA.org, LivingLutheran.com and other churchwide websites of ELCA ministry and connections

in other countries.

GlobalGlobalGlobal ELCA Missionary Team from Cairo to Speak in St. Louis BY PR. KEITH HOLSTE, CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH

ELCA missionaries Mark and Linda Nygard will be speaking about their work in Cairo, Egypt on Thursday, August 1 at 7:00 P. M. at Christ Lutheran Church in Webster Groves, Mo. The Nygards are on furlough

from their work at Evangelical Theologi-cal Seminary in Cairo, Egypt, where Rev. Mark serves as gradu-ate studies director. While they are out of Egypt during the cur-rent time of unrest, they are in communi-cation with those re-maining. They bring a perspective on the situation from being “on the ground” there.

Rev. Mark Nygard previously served two parishes in North Dakota and two parishes in West Africa before coming to Egypt with his wife, Linda.

Christ Lutheran Church is at 1 Selma Ave. in Webster Groves, 63119. All are invited to the talk and conversa-tion. Refreshments will be served.

Linda and Mark Nygard

Did you hear the news? The ELCA Missionary Sponsorship program is being refreshed! FROM ELCA.ORG

The ELCA Missionary Sponsorship program is being renamed ELCA Global Church Sponsorship to reflect a fuller picture of this church's global engagement. Soon you’ll be able to directly support new initiatives involving ELCA missionaries, Young Adults in Global

Mission volunteers, scholarships for leaders and global ministries.

Why the change? We are a church that believes God is calling us into the world -- together. Working hand in hand with our global companions, our missionaries have helped establish growing Lutheran churches throughout the world. As we walk with our sisters and brothers in Christ to share God’s love far and wide, we see there is more work

to be done to grow our global church.

Together we can build up Christ's church by sending missionaries and volunteers, training leaders, planting new churches and grow-ing existing ones. Visit this page later this August to learn how you

can get started supporting our global church.

For more information about ELCA Global Church Sponsorship,

email globalchurch@elca.org.

T

example) or be deferred to start at the time a donor chooses, even

several years into the future.

Each year, ELCA Foundation on behalf of ministries issues gift

annuities to younger and older donors alike, provided they have

obtained the age of 55. Some of these donors like gift annuities so

much that they obtain multiple annuities over the years. Some establish

them for the benefit of others, as with elderly parents who could enjoy

their own annuity payments to supplement their income till the very

end.

You can learn more about charitable gift annuities and how much you

(or someone else) might receive for a particular gift, with no cost or

obligation to you. Simply contact Joyce “JP” Palmer, our Lutheran

Planned Giving charitable gift planner, who will prepare a confidential

illustration for you and send it along with more information about

charitable gift annuities.

* ELCA ministries like a congregation, Lutheran Family & Children’s Services, Hollis

Renewal Center, Camp Tomah Shinga, Bethany Home, Lutheran School of Theology at

Chicago, Bethany College, Lutheran Campus Ministry, the synod, World Hunger, or

other ELCA global ministries.

There is a very solid, lifetime commitment made with each charitable gift

annuity. At the moment you sign your agreement and transfer cash or

marketable security to the ELCA Foundation ministries*, they are

obligated to provide you with annuity payments for the rest of your life –

till the very end.

Here’s an example – Otto Graph is an 80 year old who yesterday wrote a

check for $40,000 to fund a charitable gift annuity. Because the ELCA

Foundation follows the rates recommended by the American Council on

Gift Annuities (currently 6.8 percent for single annuitants age 80), he will

receive a quarterly check in the amount of $680.00.

Till the very end, Otto can enjoy these benefits:

✦ Satisfaction in knowing that he made a substantial gift to benefit

ministry

✦ Quarterly payments that will not change, even if the economy goes

sour

✦ Payments backed by the assets of the ELCA

✦ Payments that are partially tax-free during his life expectancy

Otto will also qualify for an income tax charitable deduction of $18,667.

Annuity payments can be set up for two lifetimes, as in the case of a

husband and wife, for example. They can begin immediately (as in Otto’s

Lutheran Planned Giving Arkansas-Oklahoma & Central States Synods

July 2013

Lutheran Planned Giving Joyce "JP" Palmer

Director/Charitable Gift Planner 9911 N. Hawthorne Ave. Kansas City, MO 64157

Cell: 816-204-5181 E-mail: jcpalmer49@aol.com

Lutheran Planned Giving is a service to ELCA congregations and individuals to help them plan for themselves, loved ones and the work of the

Lord, by providing education and consultation in the area of stewardship of accumulated assets.

All services are available without cost or obligation.

ELCA congregations have permission to reproduce this insert for newsletters, bulletins or other congregational use.

Till the Very End

To learn more about the ELCA’s 25th anniversary visit ELCA.org/25years.

We, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), celebrate our 25th anniversary in 2013. We are a church that is deeply rooted — and always being made new.

Mark your calendar!“God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday

September 8, 2013

For 25 years, the ELCA has been a church deeply rooted in faith and in sharing its passion for making positive changes in the world.

To celebrate our anniversary and our church’s commitment to sharing God’s love with our neighbors, your congregation is called to take part in a dedicated day of service on September 8 known as “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday.

You work every day to welcome your neighbors and make your community a better place. Now let’s do it together as one body, using our hands to do God’s work in Jesus Christ’s name.

Imagine the nearly 10,000 congregations of our church serving meals, cleaning up neighborhoods, making quilts for refugees or simply visiting the neighbors who need us. We are a church that rolls up our sleeves and gets to work.

More information will become available in May, including how to order your “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday t-shirts and a toolkit designed to plan for the dedicated day of service at: www.ELCA.org/25years.